Memorial's Womac excited by chance to play close to home

Brian Womac, right, hopes to harass quarterbacks on behalf of Rice like he did for Memorial.

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Recruiting series

Dec. 12: Quarterback

Dec. 19: Running back

Dec. 26: Wide receiver

Jan. 2: Offensive line

Jan. 9: Defensive line

Today: Linebacker

Jan. 23: Defensive back

Jan. 30: Athlete

Feb. 6: Signing day

Plans were already set in motion.

Brian Womac was heading to Harvard not only for the quality education but for the chance to continue his football career.

One of his favorite pastimes of hunting likely was headed to the back burner while the 6-2, 230-pound linebacker from Memorial settled into life in Massachusetts for the next four or five years.

Then Rice came calling, and everything fell into place.

"It's Division I football. It's hard to beat a Rice education - it's a school that rivals the Ivy League schools," Womac said. "It's one heck of a deal.

"It has all the boxes checked."

A passion for defense

Womac had offers from Princeton and Fresno State as well as Harvard. A first-team all-district pick this season, he really didn't want to leave the state.

Staying closer to home means friends and family can more easily watch Womac play.

He'd also remain in closer proximity to his family's ranch in South Texas, where Womac likes to hunt.

"That's one of my passions in life, too - the great outdoors - and that would have been a bummer to have to move away from that," Womac said. "It definitely would have taken a back seat. It's one of those things where you have to make sacrifices.

"But it worked out; it worked out very well."

A sacrifice just a few years ago worked out as well.

Womac grew up playing running back and safety, remaining at running back as a freshman and sophomore. That 2011 season meant playing behind Boomer White, who finished his Memorial career with more than 5,000 rushing and 6,000 all-purpose yards.

Womac played sparingly behind White, who ran for more than 2,400 yards in 2011.

"I got good playing time for a sophomore, but growing up and playing both sides of the ball, it was definitely a rough transition," Womac said.

He begged the coaches to move him to linebacker.

"I wanted to do it," said Womac, a two-time all-district pick. "They wanted me there. It was a very good relationship - me playing linebacker.

"It's fun to score touchdowns, but I'd much rather be rushing the quarterback and making sacks and tackles. That's where my passion lies."

Pumped about Rice

Womac's time at running back helped his defensive play. He will move to defensive end at Rice. The same elusiveness and ability to avoid would-be tacklers now allows him to get by would-be blockers.

"When I look at Rice, I see a lot of potential," Womac said. "We have high hopes for the next couple years. And then this recruiting class - I'm looking at all the guys around, and I watch their highlight tapes. I was really impressed by the talent we have coming in."